Pakistan are now within striking distance of the top four Test teams in the ICC Test championship table after their series whitewash over England in the United Arab Emirates.

Misbah-ul-Haq's side followed their 10-wicket and 72-run victories in the opening two Tests with a 71-run win in the third and final Test in Dubai on Monday.

Although Pakistan remain in fifth place, the series triumph helped them to move from 99 ratings points to 108.

Andrew Strauss' outfit remain top of the standings, but they could yet be knocked off their perch before the annual April 1 cut-off date if South Africa manage to beat the New Zealand three-nil later this year.

England's ratings points have dropped from 125 to 118 and they lead the Proteas by just one point, while India and Australia are third and fourth respectively.

ICC Test Championship points table
1. England - 118
2. South Africa - 117
3. India - 111
4. Australia - 111
5. Pakistan - 108
6. Sri Lanka - 98
7. West Indies - 88
8. New Zealand - 83
9. Bangladesh - 4