Bangalore: To expand the Twenty20 format of cricket in rural districts, the Karnataka State Cricket Association (KSCA) has launched a Twenty20 tournament. The ten-side zonal league, to be known as the Karnakata Premier League (KPL), will be held at the Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bangalore between September 12 and 27.

It will feature eight teams backed by the KSCA and Frontiers Group India, with the state association to host an auction on August 8. The eight so-called franchises will pick from a minimum of five from a pool of 40 domestic players in Karnataka. The 40 cricketers will be divided among ten zonal teams namely Bangalore, Mysore, Mangalore, Dharwad, Raichur, Tumkur, Shimoga, Bellary, Gulbarga and Belgaum. The KSCA has fixed the minimum bid at Rs 20 lakh.

Announcing the details, KSCA secretary Brijesh Patel said the board was looking to capitalise on the growing popularity of the format. "This will be a good opportunity for the young cricketers to showcase their talent as the tournament would have live TV coverage. First the tournament would be played in the city and later we have plans to take matches to the districts."