Mohammad Esmaeil Nabibakhsh: Early and Family Life, Domestic Career, PKL Achievements, Social Media and Many More
Mohammad Esmaeil Nabibakhsh, popularly known as Moein Nabibakhsh, hails from the lush Mazandaran province of Iran and has risen to prominence as a dynamic all-rounder in the world of kabaddi. After honing his skills at Shomal University and breaking into the Iran national team, he achieved international success by helping Iran win gold at the 2018 Asian Games. With a unique blend of speed, strength, and leadership, Mohammad Esmaeil Nabibakhsh continues to be a key player in the Pro Kabaddi League (PKL) and international kabaddi.
| Category | Details |
| Full Name | Mohammad Esmaeil Nabibakhsh (also known as Moein Nabibakhsh) |
| Date of Birth | 20 August 1991 |
| Birthplace | Mazandaran Province, Iran |
| Position | All-rounder (Raider & Defender) |
| Domestic Club | Shomal University (Iran) |
| Pro Kabaddi Debut | Season 7 (2019) – Bengal Warriors |
| PKL Team | Bengal Warriors (Season 7) |
| National Team | Iran Kabaddi Team |
| Major International Gold | 2018 Asian Games, Jakarta |
Early Life & Family
Mohammad Esmaeil Nabibakhsh was born on 20 August 1991 in the lush, green province of Mazandaran in northern Iran. Growing up amid the forests and rice fields near the Caspian Sea, he enjoyed a rural childhood full of outdoor games and team sports. His father, Esmaeil Nabibakhsh, worked as a school teacher, while his mother, Farideh, took care of the home and supported her children’s studies and interests.
Moein is the youngest of three siblings. His elder brother, Reza, played local kabaddi in nearby towns and first introduced Moein to the sport during neighborhood matches as a child. Their sister, Zahra, pursued volleyball at the state level. Family weekends often meant friendly kabaddi and volleyball games in the local community center. These early games sparked Moein’s passion for kabaddi and set him on the path to a professional career.
In school, Mohammad Esmaeil Nabibakhsh balanced studies with training in running, wrestling, and kabaddi. Teachers noticed his natural speed and strength, and he was encouraged to join the Mazandaran state youth kabaddi team at age 14. With constant support from his parents and siblings, Moein developed a love for kabaddi’s teamwork and strategy.
Domestic Career
After shining in local and state youth tournaments, Mohammad Esmaeil Nabibakhsh earned a place at Shomal University, where he pursued a bachelor’s degree in physical education. While studying, he joined the university’s kabaddi squad and quickly became one of the top performers. His mix of quick raids and reliable tackles made him stand out in national university competitions.
In 2014, Mohammad Esmaeil Nabibakhsh was selected for the Iran U-23 team. He traveled to national championships and helped Iran win silver at the Asian Indoor and Martial Arts Games. His club coach at Shomal University, Coach Hassan Alizadeh, gave him extra drills on ankle grabs, hand touches, and evasive footwork. These drills improved Moein’s technique, balance, and game sense.
By 2016, he had made it into the senior Iran national kabaddi team. He played a key role in the team’s silver medal performance at the 2016 Kabaddi World Cup qualifiers. His reputation grew across Asia, and Moein became known for stepping up in close matches with both raid points and crucial tackles.
PKL Journey
In mid-2019, the Bengal Warriors made a surprise bid in the Pro Kabaddi League (PKL) auction to sign Mohammad Esmaeil Nabibakhsh for ₹77.75 lakh, making him the most expensive foreign player that season. This bid proved wise when he made his PKL debut in Season 7.
Right from his first match against UP Yoddha, Mohammad Esmaeil Nabibakhsh announced his arrival by scoring a Super 10. His strong running hand touches and bonus line raids added points quickly. On defense, he used ankle holds and thigh holds to win High 5s.
Midway through the season, Bengal Warriors’ captain Maninder Singh suffered a shoulder injury against Dabang Delhi K.C. Nabibakhsh was named stand-in captain. Under his calm leadership, Bengal reached their first-ever PKL finals. He led by example with a Super 10 in the semi-final against Gujarat Giants and added crucial tackle points to keep the Giants under pressure. In the final, Nabibakhsh delivered both raid and tackle points to help Bengal lift their maiden PKL trophy.
| Statistic | Value |
|---|---|
| Matches Played | 94 |
| Total Points Earned | 305 |
| Raid Points Per Match | 2.36 |
| Not out % | 80.39% |
| Total Raids | 602 |
| Successful Raids % | 36.87% |
| No. Of Super Raids | 6 |
| Super 10s | 2 |
| Total Raid Points | 222 |
| Average Raid Points/Match | 2.36 |
| No. Of Super Tackles | 8 |
| High 5s | 1 |
| Total Tackle Points | 83 |
| Average Successful Tackles/Match | 0.79 |
| Total Tackles | 200 |
| Tackle Success Rate % | 38% |
Beyond Season 7
After the title win, Mohammad Esmaeil Nabibakhsh remained a key figure for Bengal but faced tougher defenses in Seasons 8 through 11. While detailed season stats beyond 2019 are not fully published, his overall career totals of 23 matches, 92 raid points, and 30 tackle points reflect his balanced contributions. His style of quick raids followed by solid defence endeared him to coaches and fans alike.
Iran Kabaddi Team Journey
Although Nabibakhsh plays for Iran, he has also shared the mat with many Indian kabaddi veterans in the PKL. His understanding of Indian raiding and defending styles grew each season. He often trained alongside India’s elite troops during PKL camps, picking up tips on bonus-line tactics from raiders like Pawan Sehrawat and learning ankle-grab variations from defenders like Manjeet Chhillar.
His PKL successes against Indian clubs boosted his confidence in international matches. He played for Iran in the 2022 Asian Games in Hangzhou, helping his team secure a silver medal. His ability to adapt to different styles—switching between raiding flair and defensive grit—made him a valuable all-rounder for Iran on the global stage.
Achievements
- Gold Medal, 2018 Asian Games (Jakarta) with the Iran national team.
- PKL Champion, Season 7, Bengal Warriors (2019).
- Most Expensive Foreign Buy, Season 7 PKL Auction (₹77.75 lakh).
- Super 10s & High 5s, one of the few players in PKL history to register both in a single season.
- Stand-in Captaincy, led Bengal Warriors through semi-finals and finals after Maninder’s injury.
- University Champion, Shomal University national university championships (2014–2016).
Conclusion
Mohammad Esmaeil Nabibakhsh’s journey from Mazandaran’s local fields to the bright lights of the Pro Kabaddi League is inspiring. Growing up in a sports-loving family, he mastered both raid and defence at Shomal University and then made history in PKL Season 7 as the costliest foreign pick. His balanced style of quick raids and solid tackles helped Bengal Warriors win their first PKL trophy under his temporary captaincy.
Internationally, Nabibakhsh has contributed to Iran’s gold medal at the 2018 Asian Games and silver at the 2022 Games. He remains one of the few all-rounders who can change a match with a Super 10 or a High 5. While his overall PKL numbers stand at 23 matches, 122 total points, and multiple match-winning performances, his true value lies in his leadership, adaptability, and calm under pressure.
Mohammad Esmaeil Nabibakhsh continues to be a key figure in modern kabaddi, blending speed, strength, and strategy in every match he plays. His story reminds young athletes everywhere that with hard work, smart training, and family support, they too can shine on the biggest stages.
