During his heydays Waqar Younis was a known fighter a change in role as Pakistan's head coach and nothing's changed for this toe-crushing former bowler. At least his instinct still remains the same. Fight on.

Pakistan with the Test series under their belt looked poised to continue in the same vein having wrapped up the opening ODI against England.

However the visitors a renewed outfit in the shorter version of the game showed they are no pushovers. Their 95-run series levelling win had Pakistan gasping and suddenly it is game on as the two teams square up on Tuesday at the Sharjah Cricket Stadium. Waqar knows it well that Pakistan will have to dig deep that extra bit to keep the marauding Eoin Morgan inspired visitors at bay. "Obviously we were expecting a fightback from England but we also played poor cricket in that game. We were not up to the mark in batting and at no time were in the game and we must make sure it doesn't happen next time" Waqar said while addressing the media on Sunday.

Preparing for the third ODI the Pakistan team did indulge in some light exercise and a game of one-touch soccer. Though one thing to catch the eye was leg-spinner Yasir Shah who was seen sporting a knee cap and left the field mid-way during the training session.

Waqar admitted that Shah has some niggles and had to be pulled out mid-way through the training.

"Yasir has got some niggles and that's why we pulled him out of the fielding we have to be careful because he is our main man and we have to see how he stands."

Waqar who's bouncers kept batsmen on their toes later showed the way out while being faced with bouncers in the face of some stiff media queries. The seasoned veteran was all poise as he tackled questions ranging from Younis Khan's sudden retirement to why keeper-batsman Sarfraz Ahmed was not being utilised as a regular opener and Umar Akmal's alleged involvement in 'immoral activities'.

"It's a tough question reality demanded that he (Younis) should have completed the series but that is the way he thinks and he is. It was unfortunate way and the decision was sudden and that was a big shock. I am very proud of the way he played the game and I am hopeful that he will complete 10000 Test runs."

Discounting the fact that off the field news was hampering the team's performances Waqar said he came to know the news of the Umar incident through the media. Akmal was served a show-cause notice by Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) after the media reports of his alleged involvement in immoral activities in Hyderabad. Waqar said it did not hurt the team's preparations. "We do think about such news but I don't think that affects our performances."

Waqar also reiterated that the Pakistan team was in a rebuilding process and there were various trials and tribulations in place keeping in mind the team of the future.

"Look when you are building the team you have to give opportunities to players you have to do new things. we need to know what can be the various combinations who are our openers so we have a set team for the Champions Trophy in 2017 and the World Cup."