Key posts
Pakistan win the toss and …
The visitors have won the toss and elected to bat first in Hobart. They will hope for a score of at least 170 on what shapes as an ideal batting deck …
Dizzy-ing events for Pakistan coach
By Jon Pierik
Jason Gillespie’s future as Pakistan coach remains clouded, despite the good work the former Australian fast bowler has done on this tour.
In typical Pakistan Cricket Board politics, Gillespie is the latest Pakistan coach to not know whether he will remain or be fired, amid reports his time may be up.
Gillespie has led Pakistan during its white-ball tour here after the sudden exit of former white ball coach Gary Kirsten last month.
Uncertain times: Pakistan coach Jason Gillespie.Credit: Getty Images
ESPN Cricinfo has reported that Gillespie will soon be removed because of behind-the-scenes movements, but the PCB unusually took to X, formerly Twitter, to deny the report. The report said Gillespie will be replaced by Aaqib Javed, who is on the selection panel.
The report said Gillespie was offered the coaching role across all three formats of the game – but on the same wage as his current Test-only deal. This has added to speculation Aaqib may be in line to take charge in all formats.
“PCB strongly refutes the story. As announced previously, Jason Gillespie will continue to coach the Pakistan side for the two red-ball matches against South Africa,” the PCB said on X.
However, the PCB’s decision to only endorse Gillespie for the two-Test series in South Africa, beginning Boxing Day, has raised eyebrows, as he contracted to the PCB through to the end of 2026.
The lack of support for Gillespie prompted former Australian coach, and Gillespie’s former state and international teammate, Darren Lehman, to vent his frustration.
“This is unbelievable,” Lehmann wrote on X, complete with angry emojis.
We’ll see what awaits Gillespie in the coming weeks.
Making a splash
By Jon Pierik
Australia will hope Spencer Johnson can reprise the stunning form he showed in the series-defining win in the second T20 international on Saturday night.
Man on a mission: Spencer Johnson.Credit: Getty Images
Johnson claimed 5-26 from four overs, the best figures by a fast bowler and only the sixth time an Australian man has taken a five-wicket haul in the format.
The South Australian was particularly tough to negotiate on balls short of a good length, and showed resilience to fight back after beginning with five wides down the leg-side and an off-side wide that was cupped by Matt Short at first slip. The 28-year-old now has 12 wickets from seven T20Is, and is determined to build on that tonight.
Hello, and welcome to tonight’s coverage
By Jon Pierik
Hello, and welcome to tonight’s coverage of the third and final T20 international between Australia and Pakistan, from lovely Bellerive Oval in Hobart.
I am Jon Pierik and I’ll be steering you through the evening’s events.
Australia are hoping for a clean sweep, having won in Brisbane and Sydney, while Pakistan is keen to end their white-ball tour on a good note.
Series to date
November 14: Australia won by 29 runs at the Gabba
November 16: Australia won by 13 runs at the SCG
November 18: Third and final game
Australia T20 squad: Josh Inglis (c), Sean Abbott, Xavier Bartlett, Tim David, Nathan Ellis, Jake Fraser-McGurk, Aaron Hardie, Spencer Johnson, Glenn Maxwell, Josh Philippe, Matthew Short, Marcus Stoinis, Adam Zampa.
Pakistan T20 squad: Muhammad Rizwan (c), Abbas Afridi, Agha Salman, Arafat Minhas, Babar Azam, Haris Rauf, Haseebullah Khan, Irfan Khan, Jahandad Khan, Naseem Shah, Omair Yousuf, Sahibzada Farhan, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Sufiyan Muqeem, Usman Khan.
