World Cup Cocktail

BCCI secretary Anurag Thakur on Wednesday said that Virat Kohli abusing a journalist in Perth was a case of misunderstanding and the issue should be put to rest immediately to let the team focus on the World Cup.

"He (Kohli) has clarified on the issue. For India, the ongoing World Cup is very important. We need to put all these issues to rest and indirectly has communicated that he misunderstood the situation. Let's put this matter to an end," Thakur told PTI today when asked about the incident.

"In future I think these kind of incidents should be avoided and taken care of. I have not spoken to players yet, the team management is there, taking care of all the players' needs," said the 40-year-old.

Afridi joins club of 8000

Swashbuckling Pakistani all rounder Shahid Afridi joined the 8,000 one-day run club during his 21 not out against the UAE in the World Cup at Napier on Wednesday.

The 35-year-old became the fourth Pakistani after Inzamam-ul Haq, Mohammad Yousuf and Saeed Anwar to make 8,000 one-day runs and the 27th of all time.

Afridi, who also took 2-35 in the 129-run win, needs five more wickets to complete 400 one-day wickets.

If he takes those five wickets, he will become the only allrounder to score more than 8,000 runs and take 400 wickets.

Warner misses individual record

Australian opener David Warner fell just short of the record individual total for his country in a one-day international in the World Cup Pool B clash with Afghanistan at the WACA Ground on Wednesday.

Warner, who was given a life on 114, eventually fell for 178, leaving him seven short of Shane Watson's record of 185 not out against Bangladesh.

Warner and Steve Smith notched a record ODI partnership for Australia, putting on 260 for the second wicket to eclipse the previous mark of 252 set by Watson and Ricky Ponting in South Africa in 2009 against England.

David Warner was knocking the ball around the ground with some class against Afghanistan at the Cricket World Cup on Wednesday, but it wasn't a pleasurable viewing experience for everybody.

Warner 6 hits a kid

One poor kid got hit by a ball that was smashed into the stands by Warner and the youngster didn't have much help from the guy sitting beside him (who we suspect might be his dad) as he was too busy yapping away on his phone to help protect the poor kid.  Thankfully, the child, an Afghanistan fan, wasn't seriously hurt and was able to continue watching the game after getting a makeshift sling.

He didn't look impressed with events, though. However, we're not sure if he was upset with his phone-talking companion or with his team's bowling. 

Chigumbura out of Ireland clash

Zimbabwe captain Elton Chigumbura has been ruled out of Saturday's make-or-break World Cup clash against Ireland with a thigh injury, the team announced Wednesday.

The 28-year-old all rounder was hurt in Sunday's 20-run loss to Pakistan in Brisbane when he tripped and fell while chasing a ball in the Gabba outfield.

"A MRI scan showed that Chigumbura suffered a third grade tear of his quadriceps muscle -- a large muscle group on the front of the thigh," said a Zimbabwe team statement.  --Compiled