JOHANNESBURG: Several players from Pakistan improved their rankings despite losing the series to world number one side South Africa, who are set to pocket $450,000 after they guaranteed the number one position in the ICC Test Championship beyond the April 1 cut-off date for prize money to be awarded in 2013.

In the Test player rankings, Pakistan's Younis Khan, Asad Shafiq, Saeed Ajmal and Azhar Ali improved their positions in the rankings while captain Misbah-ul-Haq dropped down two places.

Younis rose to number nine after his fighting century in the first innings of the second Test while Shafiq, who partnered Younis to steady Pakistan, moved into the 16th position with England's Ian Bell and Azhar Ali rose to number 11.

Meanwhile, Misbah moved down two spots to occupy the 12th position.

In the bowlers' rankings, Saeed Ajmal, who took 10 wickets in the second Tets against South Africa,  jumped up by two spots to the third position, behind South Africa's Dale Steyn and Vernon Philander.

Mohammad Irfan, who made his Test debut at Newlands, entered the rankings at number 95.

The Proteas' four-wicket victory over Pakistan in the second Test at Newlands on Sunday means they now cannot be caught at the top of the rankings by nearest rivals England, who are in New Zealand, or Australia, who are touring India.

The prize money is a significant increase from previous years, when $175 000 was given the teams topping the test or one-day international championship table.

While South Africa have sealed the number one spot, the battle for second, third and fourth positions is still alive with 13 points separating second-ranked England from fifth-ranked India.

The nation that claims second position at the cut-off date will pick up $350,000, while the team finishing third will collect $250,000 and fourth takes home $150,000.

ICC Test Championship table (before the start of South Africa-Pakistan Test series):

Rank    Team    Points

1.    South Africa    124 2.    England    118 3.    Australia    117 4.    Pakistan    109 5.    India    105 6.    Sri Lanka    92 7.    West Indies    91 8.    New Zealand    78 9.    Bangladesh    0

Zimbabwe are currently unranked as they have played insufficient matches.