In a stunning display of power-hitting, West Indies’ Matthew Forde equalled AB de Villiers' record for the fastest fifty in One-Day Internationals, reaching the milestone in just 16 balls during the second ODI against Ireland in Dublin.
De Villiers had set the record back in 2015, during his blistering 149 off 44 balls against the West Indies in Johannesburg.
Batting at No. 8, Forde walked in with West Indies on 246 for 5 in the 44th over and unleashed mayhem. He was on 42 off just 13 balls and looked set to surpass de Villiers' mark, but a missed ramp shot off Barry McCarthy denied him the outright record.
However, back-to-back sixes over long-off and cover ensured he drew level.
Forde eventually scored 58 off 19 balls, smashing two fours and eight sixes. A staggering 96.55% of his runs came in boundaries — the highest percentage ever recorded for a 50-plus score in men’s ODIs, eclipsing Andre Fletcher’s 96.15% from 2009.
He began with a second-ball six off McCarthy, then tore into Josh Little with four sixes in one over. In the very next, he used finesse to scoop Thomas Mayes for a four and a six, showcasing his versatility.
Forde’s late blitz, combined with Keacy Carty’s second ODI century, helped West Indies surge past 300 and eventually post 352 for 8.
