On February 12, 2025, the telecommunications company Etisalat introduced Hashmatullah Shahidi and Gulbadin Naib, two Afghan cricket stars, as its brand ambassadors for the year 2025. The official signing ceremony of this collaboration agreement took place in the United Arab Emirates, in the presence of Etisalat’s leadership and the two Afghan national team players.
Matthew Willsher, CEO of Etisalat, stated that as the official sponsor of the Afghanistan Cricket Board, Etisalat has always been eager to be an integral part of Afghanistan’s cricket team’s successful journey, which has brought joy to the Afghan people. He added that Afghan cricketers are now among the best in the world, and Etisalat is honored to work alongside such talented athletes.
He further emphasized that the selection of Shahidi and Naib as Etisalat’s brand ambassadors reflects the company’s continuous commitment to the growth of sports and the Afghan community.
Mohammad Usman, CEO of Etisalat Afghanistan, who attended the ceremony, stated:
“The dedication and perseverance of Shahidi and Naib align with the values that we uphold at Etisalat. I believe they are the perfect individuals to represent our brand.”
Meanwhile, Abdullah Jaber, Chief Commercial Officer of Etisalat, discussed with the new ambassadors the upcoming mobile payment services, which will soon be available through Etisalat’s “M-Hawala” service. He explained how this service will simplify payments for Etisalat customers, allowing them to perform financial transactions easily via their mobile phones, eliminating the need to carry cash.
Expressing his excitement, Hashmatullah Shahidi stated:
“It is an honor for me to be part of the Etisalat family. My goal and Etisalat’s goal are the same—to serve the Afghan people and create a positive impact on their lives.”
Similarly, Gulbadin Naib expressed his satisfaction, stating that his primary reason for joining the Etisalat family was the company’s commitment to prioritizing the well-being of the Afghan people in all of its business operations.
Etisalat Afghanistan is a subsidiary of Etisalat Group, one of the largest telecommunications companies in the world, headquartered in the United Arab Emirates. Etisalat Afghanistan began operations in 2007 and quickly became one of the fastest-growing telecom providers in the country, currently serving over 7 million subscribers.
According to company officials, Etisalat’s goal is to become the leading telecom provider in Afghanistan, offering high-quality services, competitive pricing, and extensive nationwide coverage. Since its launch in 2007, Etisalat has invested over $400 million in Afghanistan and was the first provider of 3.75G mobile services in the country.