Matthew Forde made himself known on the global platform in jaw-dropping style on Friday, equalling the record for the quickest fifty in One-Day International (ODI) history in the second ODI between West Indies and Ireland in Dublin.

The 23-year-old strode in at No. 8 and smashed a scorching half-century off only 16 balls, equalling the legendary record of 2015 by AB de Villiers against the very same West Indies team. Forde’s whirlwind knock arrived at the right moment for the visitors, who were seeking to square the three-match series following a heavy loss in the first ODI.

Power-Packed Knock by Matthew Ford Floors Ireland

Matthew Forde finally departed for 58 from 19 balls in the 47th over, having hit two fours and eight towering sixes. Amazingly, 56 of his 58 runs came through boundaries, leaving the Irish bowlers aghast at the sheer ferocity of his batting.

Thanks to Forde’s late rampage, the West Indies were able to score a dominating 352 for eight off their 50 overs a huge improvement on their batting implosion in the series opener.

Matthew Forde Continues Rich Vein of Form

It was a follow-up of Forde’s good batting form, who had already made a mark with a gritty 38 in the first ODI, in which he had contributed to an important 98-run partnership with Roston Chase after the team had crumbled to 71 for six while chasing 304.

While Matthew Forde is mostly recognized by his right-arm medium pace, it was his dashing and free-flowing batting that made headlines this time around.

Joins Elite List of Quick-Fire Fifty Makers

In the process, he became part of a rare group of power-hitters who have illuminated the format with record-breakingly quick fifties, joining greats such as Sanath Jayasuriya, Kusal Perera, Martin Guptill, and Liam Livingstone. Ireland have beaten WI in the first ODI by 124 runs and moved 1-0 ahead in the series.