The World Squash Federation tournament is returning to the calendar for the first time since 2011, with changes including gender parity among teams and playing matches to seven rather than 11 points.

In Pool A, Egypt who won the last edition 12 years ago, started as top seeds and enjoyed wins over all their opponents.

After a 4-0 win against Australia on the opening day, they beat Colombia by the same scoreline on day two.

Today they dropped the first game of the tournament during a 3-1 win over Malaysia, as Fayrouz Aboelkheir lost 3-2 to Aira Azman.

Third seeds Malaysia joined them in the semi-finals from the pool, after a 3-1 triumph against Colombia and a win by the same scoreline against Australia, confirmed by a 7-6, 7-1, 7-5 win for Sai Hung Ong over Nicholas Calvert.

In Pool B, hosts India, the second seeds, won all their matches to progress top of the group, beginning with a 4-0 victory over Hong Kong China.

On day two India whitewashed South Africa before today coming from a game down to defeat Japan 3-1, with Tanvi Khanna securing the decisive win 7-4, 7-1, 7-1 against Akari Midorikawa 7-4, 7-1, 7-1.

Japan qualified in second place from the pool, thanks to earlier wins 3-1 over South Africa, and then by the same scoreline against Hong Kong China, with Tomotaka Endo overcoming Chung Yat Long 7-4, 7-6, 7-5 to claim the key win.

The top four seeds will now contest the semi-finals, due to be played tomorrow at the Express Avenue Mall, with Egypt facing Japan and India taking on Malaysia.

The four teams that did not make the semis will contest the playoffs tomorrow, with Australia going up against Hong Kong China and South Africa meeting Colombia.