The BCCI has reacted strongly to Cricket Australia's criticism of private ownership in Twenty20 leagues like the IPL, saying the Aussie Board's concerns are unfounded as stringent checks and balances are in place to ensure that the game is not harmed by private owners.

"I can say this with full confidence that private ownership in cricket poses no threat to game's future. Unlike many foreign cricket clubs, IPL is not an independent body and is governed by the rules and regulations of the Board. IPL is BCCI's child and we will never allow any such thing which proves detrimental to the game," BCCI's joint secretary and IPL committee member M P Pandove told PTI in Chandigarh.

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CA chief James Sutherland had said on Friday in Dubai that the concept of private ownership might prove detrimental to the game's future.

Dispelling Sutherland's concern that the introduction of private ownership is likely to see them often at odds with the interests of international cricket, Pandove said, "there will be no clash of interests. IPL team owners too have to follow the rules and regulations of the League and in turn those of the BCCI. The owners were even made to sign agreements with state associations."

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"I think introduction of IPL has been a win-win situation for all. Be it players, the team owners or the public, everyone has been a gainer. After all, we have leagues in football and look where they have taken the sport. We will ensure that domestic and international cricket and IPL blends properly so that there is no clash of interests," he said.

Meawhile, asked if former Pakistan captain Intikhab Alam had agreed to join the Punjab Ranji team as coach, Pandove, who is also PCA's honorary secretary, said he had sought time till Tuesday to make up his mind.

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"I talked to him yesterday and he asked for more time saying he was busy in Karachi with the Asia Cup finals," Pandove said.

On Friday, PCA said it had appointed Alam as coach of its senior team amid reports that the PCB was also mulling appointing him as the national coach.

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Rumour had been rife that the PCB was considering replacing incumbent Geoff Lawson with Alam but PCA had Friday said it has already sent a letter to the former captain asking him to join the team by September.

The Hoshiarpur born 67-year-old Alam had earlier worked with Punjab team during the 2004-05 and 2005-2006 season and guided the team to Ranji finals.