Mohali -- With India not playing, the first semi-final in the ICC Champions Trophy between Australia and New Zealand started at the Punjab Cricket Association (PCA) stadium here Wednesday to nearly empty stands.
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In the first five overs when Australia lost two wickets, there were not even 2,000 spectators in the 37,000-capacity stadium despite the clash between the two traditional rivals. Australia had knocked India out of the championship.
Although five matches of the tournament, including this semi-final, were to be held here, it was only at the India-Australia match Oct 29 that the stadium was filled to capacity. In other matches the spectator strength was 2,000-5,000.
The second semi-final will be played at Jaipur Thursday between the West Indies and South Africa.