Cricketers mistaken for migrants had 'doors knocked on'

Members of Pakistan's under-19 cricket team had people "knocking on their doors" after a crowd of protesters gathered outside their Portsmouth hotel, wrongly believing they were migrants.

About 30 to 40 people congregated at the Marriot Hotel in Cosham on Tuesday evening after false rumours circulated that a coach carrying migrants had arrived.

Sumair Syed, chief operating officer of the Pakistan Cricket Board, said a group reached the floor where the team was staying, though players "behaved responsibly and didn't escalate the situation".

Hampshire Police said officers found no offences had been committed, and the crowd dispersed by about 21:00 BST.

The team went on to play a scheduled match the following day, Syed said.

He described the incident as "unfortunate" but said he was in contact with the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB), which had "assured us that every possible measure should be taken for the security of the escort".

"This is the responsibility of the whole sport to ensure the safety, security and well-being of the visiting team," he said. "They are on it and we are hopeful that nothing of such sort will happen in the future."

Syed did not provide further details of what was said by the people who came to the hotel.

The BBC understands the ECB has checked on the wellbeing of the Pakistan under-19s squad and is reviewing security arrangements for the remainder of their tour.

Amanda Martin, Labour MP for Portsmouth North, called the incident "deeply concerning".

She said it was "completely unacceptable that misinformation has led to young cricketers visiting our city being wrongly targeted".

The incident came two days after hundreds of protesters blocked roads in Portsmouth after a boat carrying around 120 migrants was brought ashore in the city.

The Marriott Hotel Portsmouth declined to comment.