Azeem Khan smashed an unbeaten century as Tuff Dogs defeated The Associates by 42 runs in the Evening Cricket League’s Premier Division knockout semi-finals at Shelly Bay and remain on course to land the double for the second season in a row.

No 3 Khan, who made 104 not out from 69 balls, teamed up with former Cup Match star Dean Minors (29) and Justin Barritt (24 not out), as Tuff Dogs piled up 186 for three in their 20 overs — including 132 runs from the final 60 balls — before restricting The Associates to 144 for six.

Tuff Dogs, who won the league again despite twice losing to their opponents this season, will now face Renegades — 30-run winners over Fine Leg Byes in the other semi-final — today in a repeat of last season’s final which Tuff Dogs won by 85 runs.

Simon Jones, captain of The Associates, said: “We had them 54 for two off 10 overs — and then they started smacking it to all corners.”

In reply, South African opener Jayde Albertze, who joined The Associates this season and made 48, helped his side get off to a great start as they reached the halfway point of their innings on 70 for two, David Woodcock chipping in with 20, but Terence Corday, Tuff Dogs’ captain, who finished with three for 15, halted their progress by claiming two wickets in the thirteenth over.

“The Associates did beat us twice in the league but we got them in the one that counted,” Corday said.

In the first semi-final, Durnford Davis, with 61, and Lincoln Wahl, who made 35, combined to push Renegades to 153 for six before they held Fine Leg Byes to 123 for seven in reply.

Simon Wray was Renegades’ most successful bowler with three for 31, while Vipul Jaiman took two for 26.

Second Division league champions North Village will also be aiming to complete the double. They reached the second-tier knockout final after BCB Academy forfeited their semi-final, and will face St George’s, who earlier defeated De Wicketest in their semi-final, in tomorrow’s final, which starts at 10am.

The Tuff Dogs v Renegades final will follow at 2pm.