4 talking points from World Cup qualifiers

#2 Afghanistan are going to be fun to watch in the finals

Worthy winners Afghanistan

Afghanistan's steady and seamless progress in the last decade or so clinched them the full ICC membership in June last year, and with a terrific qualification to only their second World Cup, look ready to elevate their stature.

Though the three defeats from as many opening games at the start painted a grim picture, Rashid Khan and co. ensured the final portrait would be one shimmering, as they subsequently found their footing and never looked back.

Afghanistan are a talented bunch of players with top-drawer quality eking out from every department and one of the few teams to boast a unique and perfectly balanced combination of youth and experience. Despite lacking big-match pedigree or an international exposure like the other teams in the tournament proper, the Phil Simmons's side exudes a disarming sense of courage, buoyed by their underdogs' tag.

The Afghans have come a long way since the last World Cup where they sank without a trace, and as we've witnessed in these qualifiers, are a well-oiled cohesive unit. Watching their games was fun, and hopefully, the ones at the World Cup would be too.