After a disappointing 2008, Malik hopeful of a cricket-rich 2009

Karachi, Decd 16 (ANI): Pakistan cricket captain Shoaib Malik has refused to comment on the possibility of playing India in the near future as the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has put a gag on players talking on the sensitive subject, but hoped his team get a cricket-rich 2009 after the disappointment of not playing much in the year nearing finish.

"I don't want to make any comment because PCB is dealing with the matter relating to cricket tour of India but all I can say is that we are ready to play anywhere the series takes place," The News quoted Malik, as saying.

Pakistan awaits a response from the BCCI on a tour, which is almost ruled out following strained relations between the two countries after Mumbai incidents of last month.

Pakistan did not play a single Test the whole year after Australia refused to tour the troubled country over security fears.

Malik hoped things would improve in times to come so his team could get back to playing.

"We should not look back at 2008, its almost finished. We must look ahead and hope that Pakistan gets a few more tours and tournaments. Australia is due to tour Pakistan, and we have a tri-series in Dubai," he said.

"We have one-day matches with Bangladesh, and then New Zealand is to tour Pakistan. So we will have a lot of cricket in the coming year," he added.

Malik said he was disappointed over the cancellation of the Champions League in the aftermath of Mumbai incidents.

"Champions League could have been a great opportunity for some of the new boys. By playing alongside teams from other countries, these youngsters would have got a chance to learn and could have become backup players for Pakistan. But that chance is gone," Malik said. (ANI)