LAHORE: Pakistan Cricket Board, in partnership with Faysal Bank Limited, will organise Faysal Bank T-20 Cup from October 10 here at Gadaffi stadium.

The event will mark the start of Faysal Bank's new three-year Partnership with the PCB.

The official signing ceremony of the new agreement took place on Monday at a local hotel. This union will play a critical role in the continued promotion and support of domestic cricket which was started by ABN AMRO and continued by RBS. Faysal Bank's acquisition of RBS Pakistan operations has given FBL the opportunity to continue with this association.

The thirteen teams that will participate in the tournament are, Peshawar Panthers, Multan Tigers, Lahore Lions ,Quetta Bears, Sialkot Stallions, Rawalpindi Rams, Karachi Zebras, Faisalabad Wolves, Islamabad Leopards, Abbottabad Falcons, Karachi Dolphins, Lahore Eagles, and Hyderabad Hawks.

All leading national players will be representing their respective regional teams.

Commenting on the occasion Wasim Bari, COO PCB, said: "We are very pleased to launch PCB's new partnership with Faysal Bank and we firmly believe that their commitment towards cricket sponsorship is a critical tool for the continued development of domestic cricket. We look forward to partnering with Faysal Bank in order to further strengthen the domestic game in line with our vision of providing opportunities at the grass root level".

Faysal Bank's Country Retail Head, Aarij Ali, said this tournament will be a curtain-raiser to their Bank's commitment in the development of domestic cricket.

Sponsoring cricket is one way for Faysal Bank to contribute back to society. This sponsorship is for a period of 3 years and we look forward to this exciting new association with PCB and hope that this relationship will take Pakistani cricket to new heights,he added.

Tariq Hakim, GM Marketing PCB said that PCB is proud to welcome Faysal Bank as its newest partner for the promotion and development of domestic cricket. This sponsorship will go a long way in helping the country match the aspirations of its budding talent.

"We look forward to an exciting tournament and domestic season ahead", he said.

The tournament has thirteen teams participating which have been divided into four groups, with three teams per group, and one group with four teams. Group winners will automatically qualify for the semi-finals. Three matches will be played everyday, with the matches starting at 12:00 pm, 4:00 pm, and 8:00 pm.