LAHORE The Pakistan Cricket Board is walking a tight rope with regards to the spot-fixing issue and facing isolation from the cricket world. There has been mixed but blunt reaction to the spot-fixing issue from the cricket world. While some former and current cricketers have demanded pardon for the Pakistan cricket, those asking PCB to mend its ways are no less in number. According to reports received here, several cricketers and officials do not want ban on Pakistan cricket but want severe action against the culprits. However, some of the Test playing nations cricket boards have asked the PCB to clear the mess. The message was given to the PCB in the ICC executive Board meeting in Cape Town, South Africa. The reaction to match-fixing came from five Test-playing boards that pushing Pakistan to near isolation. Reports suggested that like terrorism, India is trying to cause yet another isolation for Pakistan in its most poplar sport. Though it was not clear as yet what their demand are but it was clear that they want Pakistan to meet certain criteria and they have united with India thus fuelling the rumours that it was part of a wider plan orchestrated by the arch-rival nation. The ICC executive committee members reaction has come at a time when England has already indicated that Pakistan would have to look for other venues for its home series. On the other hand, another set back is likely to hit the Pakistan cricket with reports saying that the New Zealand Cricket is in hunt for another team other than Pakistan for their home series and was also expecting the ICC to issue a strong worded statement on match-fixing. Tainted trio respond to fixing allegations Three Pakistani cricketers allegedly involved in the spot-fixing scandal have lodged their appeals on Tuesday against their suspension handed to them by ICC on alleged spot-fixing and the ICC has given 40 days time to hear their appeals. The trio met Pakistan Cricket Board chairman Ijaz Butt on Tuesday after returning from England last week. The three cricketers on Tuesday sent responses to the games governing body over their provisional suspension in the spot-fixing scandal, PCB legal adviser said. The International Cricket Council suspended Test captain Salman Butt and fast bowlers Muhammad Aamir and Muhammad Asif after a British tabloid alleged them of being involved in a spot-fixing. Police have levelled no charges and allowed the trio to return home, on an undertaking that they would return to Britain when required. But the ICC suspended the players and gave them until September 16 to reply to its notices. Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) legal adviser Taffazul Rizvi said the replies were sent to the ICC. The players have been barred from speaking to the media by police and the PCB. Newspaper reports suggest Kamran Akmal and Salman were also notified by the ICC in a separate case. The government has said it would conduct its own inquiry after receiving a report from Scotland Yard. ICC to convene spot-fixing hearing within 40 days The International Cricket Council will convene a preliminary hearing into allegations of spot fixing against three Pakistani players in 40 days time, the legal adviser to the countrys cricket board said on Tuesday. Tafazzul Rizvi told Reuters that the players, Salman Butt, Mohammad Asif and Mohammad Amir, had exercised their right to a preliminary hearing against their suspension over the scandal and filed responses. The players had asked for a hearing to hear their point of view, Rizvi said. The ICC will now convene a hearing in 40 days time. The three players were suspended on Sept 4 by the ICC for their alleged involvement in spot-fixing during the fourth test against England at Lords. Team manager Yawar Saeed said earlier English police had delayed until Wednesday the questioning of a fourth player, fast bowler Wahab Riaz, over the scandal. Riaz was originally summoned by Scotland Yard for Tuesday but Saeed told Geo super channel the questioning had been delayed by one day. Wahab will be going on Wednesday as there was some prior commitment he had to deal with first, Saeed said, without elaborating. Riaz, 25, a left-armer, claimed five wickets on his debut in the third test against England and was a member of Pakistans squad for the five-match one-day series, but he did not play in the first two. London police have already interviewed test captain Butt and pace bowlers Amir and Asif, who were suspended by the ICC over allegations they were involved in fixing incidents, such as no-balls, in a betting scam during the test series. The trio have returned to Pakistan but on the condition they would be available for police questioning when required. Rizvi said the tour selection committee took the decision not to select Riaz for the one day matches, denying it was a result of ICC or Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) pressure. He is available for selection as any other player in the touring squad, Rizvi said. England won the test series 3-1 and are 2-0 up in the one-day matches.