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(From : The Daily Telegraph, 9 May 94)

TAMPERING WAS CAREER 'BLACKSPOT' By Imran Khan

"When Ivo Tennant asked me:'Have you ever cheated in your 21 year international career?' never did I realise that my answer would creat such a rumpus. When I told him about using a bottle top on the ball during a Sussex v Hampshire game (that was heading for a draw, way back in 1981) it was in a light-hearted vein. I narrated the incident as something that I considered to be funny during a first-class career that extended for 23 years. The incident happened as the match was petering out, the wicket was completely lifeless, and I was young and bored. Afterwards, the ball began to swing and we bowled out Hampshire -- though the result did not matter as both teams were not in contention. The only reason the media reaction disturbs me is that this solitary incident might be taken as something that was repeated by me on other occasions. Apart from being completely untrue, I would also hate this to be an example to up-and-coming cricketers. To the youngsters who who look up to me I want to say that, during my career, I tried my best to play the game by the rules."

".. I conducted my campaign for neutral umpires only because winning was only enjoyable if it was fair and square. I regret having disclosed this one silly incident which is now like a black spot on my career - even though it was narrated as a jest. As far as lifting the seam or scratching the ball is concerned (with the fingernails), this was always considered, as far as I remember, as part of cricket worldwide. Lifting the seam was particularly prevalent in England. If you look at film of most of the great fast bowlers walking back to their mark, you would see them lifting the seam, in front of the cameras, without even considering it an offence. Only after the controversy of 1992 (when Pakistan defeated England 2- 1) have bowlers become more careful. Lifting the seam was always considered part of the game not only by the players, but by the officials too, and only if bowlers lifted the seam to such an extent that it was really sitting up and you could hurt yourself, would an umpire warn a bowler. I never saw a bowler reprimanded, or anything like it .."