China Southern Airlines has confirmed it will act as title sponsor at a new Twenty20 cricket tournament involving teams from India and Australia.

The China Southern Airlines Tournament will see Cricket New South Wales take on the Mumbai Cricket Association for the NSW Maharashtra Cricket Cup.

The competition will be played every two years, with the first edition set to take place in Sydney in October.

The decision marks the airline’s first sponsorship of a sporting event.

Funds raised will go to the 40K Foundation, which supports projects aimed at fighting poverty in developing countries.

Henry He, the regional general manager for Australia and New Zealand at China Southern Airlines, said: “We know how important cricket is to India and Australia and China Southern is proud to be able to use our international network to bring Mumbai’s best cricketers to Sydney for the inaugural match of this very exciting new Twenty20 cricketing series.

“With daily connections between Sydney and Delhi, the airline is proud to further forge the strong sporting bonds between the two States.

“We can only hope our new Canton Route to London via Guangzhou will do the same for Aussie and British Test fans come Ashes time.”