USA Cricket plans to set up a professional T20 cricket league in the country by 2021.

The national governing body has launched a search for an operating partner for the competition and has published an official "request for proposals" on its website.

"We are looking for a partner to help capitalise on the increased interest levels in the sport of cricket and, specifically, to construct, fund, launch, and operate the first professional T20 cricket league in the United States," a statement from USA Cricket reads.

"The creation of the League is a core pillar of an exciting new strategic direction for the game of cricket in the world’s most competitive sporting market."

According to USA Cricket board chair Paraag Marathe, the league looks to tap into the large, existing fan base which already exists for the sport in the US.

“This RFP continues on the positive momentum as we seek to build a successful and sustainable league domestically," Marathe said.

"Newly released global research shows more than 20 million cricket fans in the United States and a well-run T20 professional league is the platform needed to engage existing fans and grow new ones to support the bullish vision this Board has for cricket in the US.”

So far, the RFP has seen "more than 20 legitimate and qualified expressions of intent" – resulting in USA Cricket to extend the deadline for submissions until 18 January 2019.