PKL 2019 | I was quick and hence my coach put me as a raider, reveals Mohammad Nabibakhsh
PKL
Bengal Warriors star for the final Mohammad Nabibakhsh has revealed that although in Iran, most of the players want to become defenders, Nabibakhsh wanted to be a raider and his coach put him as a raider because of his quick movement. Nabibakhsh scored 10 points to help Bengal win the PKL title.
Mohammad Nabibakhsh was Bengal’s skipper in both semi-final and final encounters of the PKL 2019 as Maninder Singh had to sit out due to shoulder injury. The Iranian all-rounder led from the front and scored points at will in raiding. Not only that, Nabibakhsh had a good outing in the defence as well and got a tackle point.
Meanwhile, the all-rounder has revealed that he always wanted to be a raider. Iran has produced some of the best defenders in kabaddi like Fazel Atrachali and Abozar Mighani but Nabibakhsh said that he was different.
“In Iran, players are obsessed with the dive. It’s a defender’s move and hence most players want to be defenders,” Nabibakhsh told Scroll.in.
“I was always different. I liked raiding. I was quick and hence my coach put me as a raider. Since I have always been playing as a raider.”
This was his debut season in the PKL for Nabibakhsh and he has left a mark in the tournament. He started his tour to India with a brilliant performance in the All stars game that was played before the start of the league. However, the all-rounder has claimed that his skills improved during his training with the Iran national team.
“Training with national camp, helped me improve, especially my fitness. Our coach made us run, run and run. From morning to evening, all we did was running. But it helped me get fit,” Nabibakhsh explained.
Nabibakhsh is currently studying physical education and when asked about his family back in Iran, he replied, “My father keeps calling me every now and then. He wants me to come back as he misses me a lot. He told me that I should let go of the money and come back.”
