Johnston gives his views on the Associate nations in his column.
St Patrick's Day 2007 was the day that changed Irish cricket forever. I will never forget the reception leaving the hotel, the sea of green en route and having the support of my wife, my kids and my parents in the crowd.
When the Zadran boys Dawlat and Shapoor created ICC Cricket World Cup history by dismissing both openers for first ball ducks, the Afghanistan team could dare to dream.
Afghanistan is currently ranked as the top Associate nation with a current ICC world ranking of 11.
