Shakib also led a players' strike which existed for a brief period of time from 21 October 2019 to 23 October 2019 demanding for higher salaries especially in domestic first class cricket system and issues related to proposal of Bangladesh Premier League to adopt the franchise method. He along with fellow players reportedly addressed the pay dispute issue to the media and even threatened to boycott the tour of India and the rest of international cricket season until their demands were to be fulfilled. However, the issue was sorted out as the BCB accepted to fulfill the demand of the players by offering salary increments. During the time when he was leading the players' strike, he was also accused for breaching the agreement with BCB by signing a sponsorship deal as an ambassador for an undisclosed amount with a leading telecommunication operator called Grameenphone which is also a former national team sponsor.