Cricket returned to the Kanchenjungha Stadium in Siliguri and this time, it will be hosted under floodlights with all pomp and show in the format of the Indian Premier League (IPL).

Swastika Yubak Sangha, a prominent club in the city, is organising the T20 cricket tournament that will begin on Thursday.

On Wednesday evening, Siliguri mayor Gautam Deb officially inaugurated the Siliguri Challengers Trophy at the stadium.

According to the organisers, 12 teams will participate in the second edition of the tournament that has been held since last year.

Along with teams from Siliguri and Jalpaiguri, those from Nepal, Sikkim and a team of the Northeast Frontier Railway will also participate in the tournament.

“Only four matches will be played in the afternoon that is, from 1pm. The remaining eight matches will be held from 6pm in floodlight. The final match is scheduled for May 15,” said a representative of the club.

Manoj Verma, the cricket secretary of the Siliguri Mahakuma Krira Parishad, the subdivisional sports body, said the first edition of the tourney last year was a success. “This time, we have come up with certain new attractions and arrangements and hope the event will be successful.”