England will win a $NZ 225,000 jackpot for topping the world Test rankings if they win the series against Pakistan or lose by a single match.
The annual award is presented to the side that finishes at the head of the ICC Test championship table on April the 1st.
England, who rose to world No.1 in the ICC Test rankings by beating India 4-0 in August last year, face Pakistan in a three-match series in Dubai from Tuesday.
They will only lose the jackpot if Pakistan beat them either 2-0 or 3-0, with world No.2 South Africa poised to benefit.
South Africa visit New Zealand for a three-Test series between in March and can still snatch the jackpot from England should their rivals lose by more than one Test and they win on their tour.
Meanwhile, Australia opener David Warner has made a big move in the ICC player rankings for Test batsmen, which were updated after the Perth Test.
The 25-year-old, man of the match after hitting the joint-fourth fastest century in Test cricket history, jumped 35 places to 34th position.
Australia beat India by an innings and 37 runs inside three days to lead the four-match series 3-0.
