West Indies cricketer Matthew Forde entered the ODI record book by equaling the fastest ODI fifty after scoring a 16-ball half-century against the hosts Ireland in the second game of the three-match ODI series.
Leading the series by 1-0, Ireland captain Paul Stirling chose to field first in the second game of the series. While the West Indies scored 352/8 in 50 overs, the second innings was totally washed out in rain, as the match ended with no result, and also took out the series-winning chance for the visitors.
Caribbean openers Brandon King (8) and Evin Lewis (20) were dismissed in the first powerplay, but then Keacy Carty and captain Shai Hope had a solid 81-run partnership for the third wicket. While Hope was dismissed for 49 runs, Carty completed his half-century in 67 balls. Although Carty had a 60-run partnership for the fourth wicket with Amir Jangoo, the latter was out for 13 runs.
Then Carty and Justin Greaves had a short partnership, while Carty completed his second ODI century in 105 balls. With the help of 13 fours and one six, the no.3 batter scored 102 off 109 balls when Liam McCarthy dismissed him.
Matthew Forde recorded joint fastest ODI fifty; equalled with AB de Villiers' record
Later, Roston Chase scored 24 off 25 balls before Matthew Forde stormed Irish bowlers. Forde recorded a 16-ball fifty, which equalled the record for the fastest ODI fifty. Previously, legendary South African batter AB de Villiers held this record alonely with his 16-ball fifty against West Indies during the 2015 Johannesburg ODI. Meanwhile, we now have 17-ball ODI fifties four times.
Fastest ODI fifties
Player (Team) | Balls to complete 100 runs | Opposition | Venue | Date |
AB de Villiers (South Africa) | 16 | West Indies | Johannesburg | 18 January 2015 |
Matthew Forde (West Indies) | 16 | Ireland | Dublin | 23 May 2025 |
Sanath Jayasuriya (Sri Lanka) | 17 | Pakistan | Singapore | 7 April 1996 |
Kusal Perera (Sri Lanka) | 17 | Pakistan | Pallekele | 15 July 2015 |
Martin Guptill (New Zealand) | 17 | Sri Lanka | Christchurch | 28 December 2015 |
Liam Livingstone (England) | 17 | Netherlands | Amstelveen | 17 June 2022 |
Gudakesh Motie also had a powerful cameo
With the help of eight fours and two sixes, Forde scored 58 off 19 balls. While Greaves scored 44 not out off 36 balls, Gudakesh Motie had a powerful cameo of 18 in eight balls with two sixes.
