World Cup Cocktail

Waqar Younis warned Tuesday that cricket could die out in Pakistan if rival teams continue to boycott the country where international tours have not taken place since 2009.

"The biggest hurt is that we are not able to stage international matches," Pakistan head coach Waqar said.

"I fear the game might die out as we lack talent at junior level and it's tough to indulge kids in cricket. It's a very important aspect, we have to bring international cricket back and the government has to help in this regard."

"If we want to save Pakistan cricket we have to lift our domestic game because there was a big difference in standards at the World Cup. We were well behind other teams.

"We can't delay it, we need power-hitters like there are in other teams and players who can score 300-plus runs," said Waqar, whose team only crossed the 300-mark just once in seven games at the World Cup -- against the amateurs of the United Arab Emirates.

"Cricket is changing fast and we have to keep pace with that, if not we will be left far behind."

Waqar stressed Pakistan needed good batsmen.

"Bowling has never been our problem. But it's the batting where we have been struggling for a long time now and after Misbah-ul-Haq and Younis Khan -- whenever he quits -- we will have a big vacuum."

Johnson ready to sledge

Fast bowler Mitchell Johnson says he is considering taking on the role of Australia's Sledger-in-Chief for Thursday's World Cup semi-final against India at the Sydney Cricket Ground.

Outspoken opener David Warner has been on his best behaviour at the World Cup after getting into hot water over a series of spats with the Indian side during the test series over the New Year.

"I heard Davy said he wasn't going to get involved in all that stuff," paceman Johnson said.

"Someone's got to do it and I might put my hand up. It's part of the game and what happened the other day with Shane (Watson) and Wahab (Riaz) was exceptional.

"I thought it was great entertainment and I think you're going to see more entertainment in this game."

India get added incentive for WC win

India will go into the semifinal against Australia at the Sydney Cricket Ground on Thursday, hoping to secure passage into the finals to face New Zealand who qualified after beating South Africa. While the Indian team is certainly hoping to secure a victory in what will be a tense encounter between two of cricket's heavyweights.

Now, a saree trader from Indore has stepped in and given the team an added incentive, alongside the World Cup itself, for winning the trophy for the second time on the trot.

The saree trader has made two sarees worth a whopping 65000 rupees each as a gift for the team should they win the Cup. The saree is adorned with the colors of India and multiple World Cups, even featuring the Indian team's sponsor logo to make it as authentic as their jersey.

So the Indians will be going into the match hoping to not only secure passage into the final, but MS Dhoni especially, will be hoping to return to India with a gift for his wife in the form of the special saree.

-Compiled