Aussies prepare to face ex-fixer in T20

Australia are preparing to face Mohammad Amir for the first time since the Pakistan paceman was jailed and suspended for spot-fixing.

Australia will seek to rattle former spot-fixer Mohammad Amir with willow instead of words in their World Twenty20 clash with Pakistan.

Amir returned from a five-year ban and prison term earlier this year, with some teammates making it patently clear they did not want to play in the same team as the express paceman.

Former Australia keeper Ian Healy and former England skipper Andrew Flintoff were among many wanting harsher sentences after the scandal.

New Zealand fans and a ground announcer taunted Amir in January, while his presence at the World T20 remains a touchy subject among many at the tournament.

"No comment," David Warner smiled.

"What is done in the past is in the past. We're not going to try and go out there and get under his skin for something that's probably not warranted.

"That's best left in the dark."

When pressed on the situation, Warner continued to shoulder arms.

"They've accepted him back in the team and you have to accept that. It's like someone who gets done for drugs," Australia's vice-captain said.

"They're always going to be given a second chance if that is necessary and if that is what players feel and the association feels.

"You have to accept that."

Warner was more worried about what Amir was capable of producing on Friday, when the two sides meet in a crucial World T20 match at Chandigarh that starts at 8.30pm AEDT.

The left-armer earned widespread praise after troubling India in the recent Asia Cup.

India superstar Virat Kohli describing Amir's onslaught as one of he most challenging spells of fast bowling he has ever faced.

Warner recalled being dismissed for a second-ball duck by Amir at the 2010 World T20 semi-final.

"He was bowling 150s (km/h) then. Nothing's really changed except he's trying to swing the ball now," Warner said.

"They've got three very, very good left-arm fast bowlers in their attack.

"They got Mohammad Irfan and Wahab (Riaz), he's a fiery character as well."

Warner also spoke in glowing terms about Pakistan skipper Shahid Afridi, who could be playing his last international game according to reports.

"I love playing against Shahid," Warner said.

"He's a character. You don't know what to expect but when he's on, he's on and he's very hard to stop.

"That's something we are going to have to be mindful of in this next game. He's a world-class player and has been for many years."


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Source: AAP



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