Ian Botham has urged England selectors to hang on to Andrew Flintoff for the rest of the Pakistan tour rather than send him home after his blistering innings in the first one-day intternational in Karachi.

The former England all-rounder said Flintoff's form with the bat merited his staying despite the long-standing problems with his back which prevent him from bowling.

Flintoff is due to fly back to England for more treatment next week when the one day series is finished but Botham thinks he should stay.

"There's no way they can send a batsman in that sort of form home early,'' Botham said on Sky TV.

"A batsman who can dominate an attack like Pakistan's in the way Flintoff did is something England need to make use of."

Flintoff himself was rendered speechless when he was presented with the man of the match award and a car after his match-winning innings of 84 from 59 balls that saw England pull off a spectacular five wicket win over Pakistan at the National Stadium.

He said: "I'm pleased with it, it was a lovely track to bat on.

"I just went out there and played my own game. It was nice to get a few in the middle of the bat.

"I haven't batted much on this tour so it was nice to get some runs."

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