On May 23, 2025, Westies all-rounder Matthew Forde entered the record books with a phenomenal innings against Ireland in the second ODI at Castle Avenue, Dublin. Forde scored a 16-ball fifty, equaling AB de Villiers' long-held record for the joint fastest fifty in ODI history. Batting at number eight, Forde struck 58 off 19 balls, hitting two fours and eight sixes. With Keacy Carty scoring a century as well, the West Indies posted a formidable 352/8 in their innings, matching the Irish 124 advantage in its series-opening win in the first ODI.

Forde's 16-ball fifty equaled the incumbent record set by de Villiers himself in 2015 against the West Indies, and even so, his performance capped a display of his ability to take apart an international bowling attack. His strike rate at over 300 was a clear indication of his power-hitting. Ireland's bowlers could not put a lid on Forde's assault, the last to bear the brunt being Liam McCarthy, who reportedly dismissed him. Matthew Forde, over the previous 5 days, had already given a glimpse of his all-round ability (3 wickets and a 48-ball 38 in the first ODI), and now heavens had opened up.

The context of the match, being West Indies 1-0 down in the three-match series, makes the achievement all the more significant as the team was looking for anything to change the momentum.  Forde’s whirlwind innings, combined with a solid batting foundation, provided just that, setting Ireland a challenging target. His ability to deliver under pressure underscored his growing reputation as a versatile all-rounder in West Indies cricket.