Pakistan U19 England controversy

Why Was Pakistan’s U19 Team Mistaken for Asylum Seekers in England? Controversy Explained

Pranvit Singh Dang

Published - Sep 10, 2026, 07:12 AM

3 min

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The Pakistan Cricket Team is currently on tour in England and has been dealing with a lot of problems within the team. Apart from this, the Pakistan U19 team is also on tour in England for 1 unofficial test match, followed by 4 unofficial ODIs, have dealt with another kind of problem arising for the young Pakistan team, putting them under fresh controversy.

Pakistan U19 England controversy arose from a misconception about the Pakistan U19 asylum seekers, which sparked protests in front of the team hotel. Many people are wondering about the reason behind the Pakistan U19 team being mistaken for Asylum Seekers in England. Let's have a look at the complete details of the Pakistan U19 England controversy.

Why Was Pakistan’s U19 Team Mistaken for Asylum Seekers in England?

During the tour of Pakistan Under-19s tour of England in 2026, the Pakistan U19 team landed in a fresh controversy, where a protest took place outside the Marriott Hotel, where the Pakistan team was staying, with the situation turning chaotic after around 30-40 people gathered. The whole protest took place after the misconception of them for asylum seekers. The sole reason behind Pakistan’s U19 team was mistaken for Asylum Seekers in England was the rumours spreading around that a group of foreign nationals had arrived coach.

Reform councillor George Madgwick also clarified the reason for the protest while telling the BBC,

Someone online saw a group of what looked like foreign nationals leaving the coach and put a photo of it online, and that's where it stemmed from. It was mere speculation rather than based on truth or fact.

Madgwick also told the Guardian,

I spoke to the coach of the team, who was very understanding. I went out to the protesters and told them, 'You've got it wrong guys, it's a cricket club.' They left within a couple of minutes. It was a massively unfortunate incident. From the perspective of the people of Portsmouth who are already on high alert, this was a coach from the same company which was turning up with about 40 foreign men.

Pakistan Under-19s tour of England 2026 Overview As of Now

The Pakistan U19 team’s 2026 tour of England is going on as an interesting multi-format series, featuring the youth of both countries who will play with/against some of the best cricketers in the world in the future. England started strongly by beating Pakistan by just 10 runs in the one-off Youth Test at Arundel.

Pakistan bounced back in the first Youth ODI at the same venue. Usman Khan scored a brilliant 151, while captain Farhan Yousaf made 115. The pair put together a record 268-run partnership, helping Pakistan post 332 runs. Pakistan then bowled England out for just 155 to win by 177 runs and started the ODI series with a win.