Daniel Vettori says now is not the time to focus on his achievement of claiming 300 one-day international wickets, as New Zealand continue their bid for Cricket World Cup glory.

The veteran spinner was the star of the show in the co-hosts' latest Pool A match on Sunday, returning 4-18 from four overs to help set up a six-wicket victory over Afghanistan.

Vettori's second breakthrough at Napier's McLean Park saw him bring up 300 scalps in ODIs.

He told reporters: "It will be something nice to look back on. But I think we are caught up in the middle of the World Cup.

"There is an important game on Friday [New Zealand's final pool match against Bangladesh] and probably the most important game of our careers the following Saturday [in the quarter-finals].

"So maybe in a month or so's time there will be a chance to look back on it."

Afghanistan looked set to be disposed of quickly when they slumped to 59-6 inside 20 overs.

However, the Associate nation recovered to reach 186 all out from 47.4 overs, ensuring New Zealand got more time in the middle than they may have expected at one stage.

Asked if it was helpful to get a lot out of the game in terms of batting and bowling time, Vettori replied: "I think you guys [in the media] are the ones who want the boxes ticked.

"I think we're just looking at it as we're trying to win games regardless of the situation.

"I think that's important to us that we keep thinking that way, because if we get caught up in trying to work through a check list of what's right and what's wrong to try to win a World Cup, it's not going to work.

"It's purely about winning games, and that's what we've been able to do so far, and we can hopefully continue in the important knockout stages."

Afghanistan skipper Mohammad Nabi acknowledged the challenge his side have faced against Test-playing nations, but is still hopeful of beating England in their final group game.

"It's totally different from playing against associate teams ... [and] quite difficult to adjust," said Nabi.

"But you know that England is also in trouble in the World Cup as well and we'll give a hundred per cent at that match."