Impressed with their consistent showings in the tournament so far, former Pakistan coach Geoff Lawson on Sunday backed Shahid Afridi [ Images ] and his men to emerge winners in the much-anticipated World Cup semi-final against India.

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"Pakistan have played some good cricket, their guys look really good... and it could be a Pakistan-New Zealand final" Lawson, who coached Pakistan for 15 months since July 2007, told reporters.

Pakistan, who thrashed West Indies [ Images ] by ten wickets in the quarter-final, are set to take on India in a high-voltage clash in Mohali on Wednesday, while New Zealand [ Images ] play Sri Lanka [ Images ] in the other semi-final a day earlier.

Lawson, who is presently the coach of Indian Premier League [ Images ] team Kochi Tuskers, pointed out that Pakistan had defeated India in Mohali in 2007.

The former Australian speedster, who succeeded Bob Woolmer [ Images ] as Pakistan's coach in July 2007, was sacked before his two-year contract ended, despite leading the team to the final of the inaugural ICC [ Images ] World T20 in South Africa [ Images ].

Lawson also called for Australian captain Ricky Ponting [ Images ] to be replaced, saying it was time for "fresh leadership".

Though he described Ponting as a "fantastic player" and one of the "greatest batsmen of all time", Lawson said "It is time for a new captain."

Australia [ Images ] lost to India in the quarter-final of the World Cup last week.