Afghanistan lives to fight another day after Nepal’s five-wicket victory over Hong Kong in Bulawayo sent the national team through to the Super Six stage on Monday evening.

Hong Kong needed to win to go through themselves and were hopeful of stealing the win but Nepal registered their first win in the tournament which spelled the end of the road for Hong Kong, the ICC reported.

This comes after Afghanistan cricket chief Shafiq Stanikzai apologised to fans on Thursday after the team's shock defeat by Hong Kong, which left the team’s hopes of qualifying for the World Cup hanging by a thread.

But after Monday’s Group B match, Afghanistan now limps through to the next stage.

The team will join Scotland, hosts Zimbabwe, Ireland, the UAE, and unbeaten West Indies in the next stage.

The first Super Six match will see Afghanistan face West Indies on Thursday in Bulawayo.

Coming in to the tournament, Afghanistan and West Indies were the firm favorites to win the last two spots available in next year’s World Cup to be hosted by England and Wales.