Pakistan jumped three places to third in the ICC Test Championship table following the seven-wicket victory over Sri Lanka in the third and final Test in Pallekele on Tuesday.
They entered the series in sixth position, on 97 points, one ahead of Sri Lanka.
The 2-1 series triumph earned them four ratings points and because the middle of the table is so tightly-packed they rose three places.
India dropped a rung to fifth and are placed behind New Zealand.
Pakistan now trails second-ranked Australia by 10 points and leads fourth-ranked New Zealand by two.
Sri Lanka, in contrast, dropped four points and slipped to 92 points, while retaining seventh position overall.
South Africa lead the table with 130 points.
The Ashes begin on Wednesday and England will not only be aiming to reclaim the Urn but also improve its ranking.
England is currently sitting in sixth position and a series win by 3-0 or better will move it to as high as second.
ICC Test Championship table (as on 7 July 2015)
1 South Africa 130 points
2 Australia 111
3 Pakistan 101
4 New Zealand 99
5 India 97
6 England 97
7 Sri Lanka 92
8 West Indies 81
9 Bangladesh 41
10 Zimbabwe 5
Image: Pakistan captain Misbah-ul Haq celebrates with the trophy after defeating Sri Lanka in the third Test in Pellekele and clinching the series 2-1 on Tuesday.
Photograph: PCB Official/Twitter
