Daniel Vettori's Experience Will Be Crucial to New Zealand's World Cup Challenge

Veteran spinner Daniel Vettori has shown once again why his experience will be crucial if New Zealand are to mount a serious World Cup challenge.

Defending a total of 299 in the fourth one-day international against Pakistan on Wednesday, the tourists squeaked home thanks largely to an impressive spell from Vettori.

In a match overshadowed by the terrible events in Peshawar, the bespectacled left-armer took three for 53 from his 10 overs. After dismissing Haris Sohail and Mohammad Hafeez to leave Pakistan reeling at 82 for four, Vettori returned later to bag the crucial wicket of Younis Khan.

"

Vettori comes back to bowl Younis Khan, who was swinging for the rope there, huge wicket. 103 from 117 from him, fine innings #pakvnz ^RI

— BLACKCAPS (@BLACKCAPS) December 17, 2014"

Pakistan's oldest ODI centurion looked set to steer his team to an impressive win but succumbed to Vettori's final delivery for 103 with his team 46 runs short. The pacemen finished the job to give New Zealand a seven-run win. With the series now tied at two apiece, it's all to play for in Friday's finale in Abu Dhabi.

After making just three one-day appearances in 2013, it looked long odds that Vettori would be appearing in a fourth World Cup. That now seems on the cards after a series of canny performances.

The 35-year-old returned to action in the 50-over game against South Africa in October. Despite remaining wicketless in both appearances, Vettori was highly economical, going at 4.20 runs per over.

That tidy form has continued in Pakistan. In his three appearances this series, Vettori has taken five wickets at an average of 28.20 with an economy rate of 4.70. If he can keep that up, that World Cup swansong is a distinct possibility.

The latter part of Vettori's career has been ravaged by injury. Despite that, he still looks set to overhaul Stephen Fleming as New Zealand's most-capped ODI player. With 281 victims, he is already his country's leading wicket-taker in the 50-over game.

Most of the pre-World Cup hype has involved the Australians. Their cousins across the Tasman Sea are shaping up quite nicely, too.

An explosive batting line-up featuring Kane Williamson, Brendon McCullum, Ross Taylor, Martin Guptill and Corey Anderson means the Kiwis shouldn't be struggling for runs.

The pace attack has been more of a concern. Tim Southee, Trent Boult, Kyle Mills and Mitchell McClenaghan are all solid one-day citizens but don't exactly strike fear into opposition sides.

The addition of speedster Adam Milne could change that. The youngster consistently tops 90mph on the speed-gun and appears to have found his radar in Pakistan. He could yet be one of the competition's surprise packages.

Throw in Vettori's spinning wiles and the co-hosts are starting to look like more than dangerous outsiders.

The New Zealanders have an amazing record in the World Cup, reaching the semi-final in six out of 10 competitions. They have never yet made it to the final, though.

If Vettori's creaking body holds up for a few more months and the batsmen fire, there's no reason why they can't go just as far this time around.

Stats courtesy of ESPNCricinfo.com and Howstat.com.