England chairman of selectors David Graveney says the team should be regarded as the best in the world if they win in Pakistan and India.
Michael Vaughan's men, ranked second in the world, leave on Tuesday for Pakistan and tour India in February.
"We are halfway there, having beaten Australia and won the Ashes.
"But to become the world's top team we have to beat Pakistan and India," Graveney, speaking at the Hong Kong Cricket Sixes, told the Morning Post.
"England are up there. The mark of a good team is to beat Australia, anywhere, and also to win on the sub-continent."
England regained the Ashes for the first time in 16 years this summer with a 2-1 triumph over the team rated number one in the International Cricket Council Test rankings.
Nasser Hussain was captain when they won 1-0 in a three-Test series on their last trip to Pakistan five years ago, but England have not won a Test series in India since February 1985.
They will play three Tests in both countries this winter, with the first match against Pakistan starting in Multan on 12 November.
Michael Vaughan's men, ranked second in the world, leave on Tuesday for Pakistan and tour India in February.
"We are halfway there, having beaten Australia and won the Ashes.
"But to become the world's top team we have to beat Pakistan and India," Graveney, speaking at the Hong Kong Cricket Sixes, told the Morning Post.
"England are up there. The mark of a good team is to beat Australia, anywhere, and also to win on the sub-continent."
England regained the Ashes for the first time in 16 years this summer with a 2-1 triumph over the team rated number one in the International Cricket Council Test rankings.
Nasser Hussain was captain when they won 1-0 in a three-Test series on their last trip to Pakistan five years ago, but England have not won a Test series in India since February 1985.
They will play three Tests in both countries this winter, with the first match against Pakistan starting in Multan on 12 November.