Was difficult to watch Shafali Verma in tears: Brett Lee on Women's T20 World Cup

Former pacer Brett Lee on Monday said he found it difficult to watch Indian batting sensation Shafali Verma in tears during crushing women's T20 World Cup final loss to Australia but he expects 16-year-old to bounce back strongly.  First-time finalists India were outplayed by 85 runs as Australia claimed ir fifth world title here on Sunday. Verma, who had a successful run till final, could t click in summit clash and was seen sobbing after final.

'Tough seeing her in tears'

"I really felt for Shafali Verma at end, it was tough seeing her in tears but she should be very proud of way she's performed in Australia," he wrote in his column for ICC.

"To come out here and face your first tournament head-on is testament to her talent and mental strength, and she's only going to get better from here," he added. "...she'll learn from this experience and come back stronger. Moments like this can define you in a positive way...Don't be surprised to see her put a big score on Aussies next time y play."

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former pace ace said he expects Indian team to come back strongly after 85-run hiding. "...it was a disappointing night for m but y'll certainly be back - this is t end for m, this is just start," Lee wrote. "y'd never played in a Final before and we saw in Melbourne how vital that experience is, it takes a long time to get settled and by time y did, unfortunately, game was gone.

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"Playing in front of a crowd like that takes plenty of getting used to so y'll be better for it, and should take a lot of heart from way y played in Australia," he added.

Lauding Australia's performance, Lee said way Alyssa Healy (75) and Beth Mooney (78) started proceedings on Sunday, he was reminded of 2003 ODI men's World Cup final which Australia won against India. "Sometimes you can bat a team out of game in that first half, which Adam Gilchrist, Matw Hayden, Ricky Ponting and Damien Martyn did for us in Johannesburg," he said.  "Scoreboard pressure means so much more in a Final and, as we saw at MCG, India just couldn't get momentum needed for chase," he added.  

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