Haroon Lorgat, the ICC's chief executive, says that cricket's governing body will not sacrifice bilateral cricket for Twenty20 leagues and try to regulate the latest format to ensure that.

"All these tournaments are springing up and what we are trying to do is regulate them in a more effective way," Lorgat told the Guardian. "A private businessman might have different ambitions but we have to protect the game of cricket.

"Twenty20 is an opportunity that people have spotted they can take advantage of, but that doesn't detract from what has been agreed by all members that we will not sacrifice nation-v-nation cricket. Everyone recognises its importance. People are not disregarding it."

There has been plenty of criticism of the growing importance put on Twenty20 cricket, a lucrative proposition across the globe. Most of it has centered around the IPL's second edition, provisionally scheduled for April-May 2009, which clashes with Sri Lanka's tour of England and its third season, which will clash with Bangladesh's tour of England.

"Out of a difficult situation can come a lot of good," Lorgat said. "If there wasn't an interest in the sport there wouldn't be so many challenges. I would rather come into a scenario where things are moving at great speed, with new forms of cricket and a new audience."

The first edition of the IPL, devised by BCCI vice-president Lalit Modi, was a huge success and the inaugural Champions League - backed by the Indian board - will be held in India from December 3-10, where two teams each from India, Australia and South Africa, and Middlesex and Pakistan's Twenty20 champion will compete.

The second Champions Twenty20 League will take place next year between September 25-October 10, and will feature 12 teams, four more than the first edition. Even the unofficial ICL will be starting its third season from October 10.