Cricket history was once again made today in Dublin after a stunning display of brute force and calculated aggression, as Matthew Forde etched his name into the record books by smashing the joint-fastest fifty in One Day Internationals.
The 23-year-old equalled AB de Villiers’ iconic 16-ball half-century against Ireland during the second ODI at Castle Avenue.
Coming in at No. 8 with the West Indies at 246/6 in the 44th over, Matthew Forde wasted no time in announcing his intent. Within moments, the crowd knew it was witnessing one of the most explosive cameos ever seen in the format. The Barbadian launched a relentless assault, hammering 2 fours and 8 sixes in a blistering knock of 58 off just 19 deliveries.
His half-century came up in the 46th over, tied in both style and timing with de Villiers’ legendary effort against the West Indies in 2015, when he scored the fastest ODI hundred as well.
Though eventually dismissed by BJ McCarthy, the damage was done. Matthew Forde had lifted West Indies from a competitive 246/6 to a commanding 314/7 inside just three overs of his arrival. The final team total swelled to 352/8, a total that felt, in large part, like it belonged to him.
While still relatively unknown, PSL fans might remember him for his solitary appearance for Islamabad United against Karachi Kings in PSL 9.
For a player only just beginning to make his mark in international cricket, this was a breakout innings of global significance—not just for the sheer numbers, but for the manner in which it unfolded. In the world of ODI batting, few performances can rival the tempo and audacity Forde exhibited in Dublin.
Now, his name sits alongside one of cricket’s greatest innovators, AB de Villiers. And for Matthew Forde, this is only the beginning.
