Dubai: With England taking on Pakistan and India locking horns with the West Indies, the International Cricket Council (ICC) Test rankings may be heading for some major changes in the near future.
England are presently just a rung below Pakistan in the rankings with 111 points. This means that margins of 2-1 or 1-0 win will be enough for the Three Lions to jump over Pakistan. The results would also mean Pakistan slipping down to 107 points while England will be at 110.
If England grab a 2-0 or 3-1 series win, it will tie second-placed India at 112 points. In case Alastair Cook's men are able to capitalise on the home advantage even better, they can propel themselves to second position with a 3-0 or 4-0 win.
Pakistan also have a chance of piping India and take the second spot if they win the series by a 2-1 or 3-1 margin.
The Misbah-ul-Haq-led side have only once reached the No.2 place since the official rankings were launched in 2003. That was in November last year when Pakistan beat England 2-0 in the United Arab Emirates.
Pakistan also have an opportunity to knock off Australia from the top spot if they win 3-0. However, their best performance till date in England has been a 2-0 win in a three-Test series in 1996.
England and Pakistan lock horns in a four-Test series, starting with the first match at Lord's on Thursday.