Friends Provident will title sponsor the new domestic Twenty20 competition set up by the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) for the next four years.

The deal further strengthens the UK pensions company's support of the ECB as they previously title-sponsored the domestic 50-over competition.

The deal, which runs until the end of the 2013 season, provides Friends Provident with a range of sponsorship benefits from in-ground advertising to perimeter boards and replay screens.

John Perera, commercial director for ECB, said: "We are delighted to welcome Friends Provident as the title sponsor for the T20 and to continue to develop what is already a strong working relationship."

"Friends Provident has shown a commitment to the sport for over a decade and the next four years will be another important period. T20 is set to be a hugely exciting competition next year and I am confident that, in partnership with Friends Provident, we will offer spectators an unforgettable season of entertaining cricket."

Trevor Matthews, chief executive officer of Friends Provident, added: “We are thrilled to be able to build on our existing involvement with the ECB. The new Friends Provident T20 marks an exciting development for the sport and we are delighted to be supporting this new phase. Friends Provident has a long-standing association with cricket, which we continue to support from grass roots to tournament level.”