Naseem Shah puts Central Punjab on top.

LAHORE -- A second career five-wicket haul by fast-bowler Naseem Shah helped Central Punjab to put a stranglehold over Sindh on Day Three of the Quaid-e-Azam Trophy fixture at the Iqbal Stadium in Faisalabad.

The 16-year-old returned figures of 19-2-78-6 as Sindh were dismissed for 256 after starting the penultimate day at the overnight score of 196 for four in reply to Central Punjab's 313. After securing a 57-run first innings lead, Central Punjab further consolidated their position by finishing the day at 192 for two as the visitors led by 249 with eight wickets standing.

Salman Butt was batting at 90 (12x4, 154b) and looks all set for his 24th first-class century, while Pakistan Test captain Azhar Ali was out after a scoring 90 (15x4, 145b).

SCORES IN BRIEF

CENTRAL PUNJAB: 313 all-out, 95.5 overs (Kamran Akmal 90, Ahmed Shehzad 60, Faheem Ashraf 52, Usman Salahuddin 38, Ehsan Adil 25; Kashif Bhatti 3-99, Mir Hamza 2-46, Sohail Khan 2-72, Tabish Khan 2-80) and 192-2 (Salman Butt 90 not out, Azhar Ali 90; Sohail Khan 1-27, Kashif...