Batted for 10 hours and scored 428 runs, then got hotel room number 428, 7th highest score, career ruined after 2 tests.

New Delhi. There are many such stories in the history of cricket which are recorded in the record books, but with time people forget them. One such incredible and interesting story is that of former Pakistani cricketer Aftab Baloch. One of his innings played in the year 1973 not only surprised the cricket world, but fate also created such a unique coincidence with him that no one can forget even if they want to.

In the 70s, Aftab Baloch was one of the great batsmen of Pakistan and he was also talked about in the world. But you will be surprised to know that the batsman who played the sixth highest innings in the history of cricket got a chance to play only 2 Tests.

Historic day of Karachi and the great record of 428 runs

While playing for Sindh in the year 1973, Aftab Baloch created history against Balochistan on the ground of Karachi. He made a huge score of 428 runs in a single first-class innings. This is the seventh highest individual score in cricket history. This was not just a pile of runs, but a proof of his amazing ability to stay on the pitch. Baloch batted for 10 hours and hit 25 fours. In the entire history of cricket, there have been only six batsmen who have batted longer than him in an innings. This marathon innings of Baloch made him a legend overnight.

Challenge of strong batting line-up

Despite such a great record, Aftab Baloch could not cement his place in the Pakistan national team and played only two Test matches in his entire career. The biggest reason for this was the very strongness of the Pakistan team at that time. At that time, the Pakistani team included legendary and world famous batsmen like Sadiq Mohammad, Majid Khan, Zaheer Abbas, Asif Iqbal and Mushtaq Mohammad. Due to this strong batting order, even a great talented player like Bloch had to sit out of the team.

Hotel Room Number, 428 A Magical Coincidence

The most interesting and surprising story related to Aftab Baloch’s career is from the year 1974, when the Pakistani team went on a tour of England, Baloch was also a part of that team, although he did not get a chance to play even a single test on this tour. When he reached England, the room number allotted to him by the hotel administration for his stay was 428. This was exactly the same number that he had scored runs on the ground in Karachi a year earlier. This coincidence was so precise and magical that no storyteller could have imagined such a thing.
Seeing this, it seemed as if fate itself was saluting his great record. Aftab Baloch may not have been able to make a very long career at the international level, but his 428 runs in first-class cricket and that hotel room number 428 in England will always be alive in the hearts of cricket lovers. This story reminds us that cricket is not just a game of runs and wickets, but it is a beautiful bouquet of unexpected coincidences and unforgettable moments.