Though Ed Joyce and wicket-keeper Gary Wilson steadied the innings, putting up a 50-run stand for the fourth wicket, following the loss of Joyce for 53 runs, Wilson was left without a partner to support him from the other end of the crease.
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Earlier, two half-centuries propped up Ireland as they finished with a pedestrian 219 for eight.
Ireland reduced Zimbabwe to 171 for 7 but Raza’s unbeaten knock helped them to victory with an over to spare.
Ireland have played only three games at the ground, all of which came in a single series in 2010.
The hosts subsequently made tough work of getting there as George Dockrell (two for 29) and Andy McBrine (two for 53) restricted their progress.
The Zimbabwe bowlers all shared in the spoils, with Nyumbu taking 2-35 in his 10 overs. The tour will conclude with a four-day match against a Zimbabwe XI, all at the same venue.
The captain of the Zimbabwean Cricket Team Elton Chigumbura has said that they will not relax against the Ireland team and will do their best to win the matches and the series, while not under-estimating their opponent at all, when they face eachother in Zimbabwe. The Irish started the series in 10th and Zimbabwe 11th, with the tourists holding a two-point advantage over their rivals.
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The home side chose to leave out Brian Chari, who had made his ODI debut in the previous series against Pakistan, and instead handed a debut to left-arm spinner Wellington Masakadza, who has represented Zimbabwe at the Under-19 World Cup.
